# Dear Starbucks: We Don't WANT to Know What You Think . . . **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 23, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535 "2005-10-23T16:21:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/81 "2005-10-24T17:54:34Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Try asking your local Starbucks instead of just assuming. I think when **eleanorigby** said “I ding them for throwing that food out—shame on Starbucks”, she was commenting on the specific instance of a Starbucks food-tossing policy attested to by **iluvurmom** from personal experience. She didn’t claim that **all** Starbucks throw out their unused food. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/82 "2005-10-24T17:55:31Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Learn first, form opinions later, not vice-versa. Given your earlier ignorant rant about coffee roasting temperatures, I think maybe you should take your own advice to heart, yes? Daniel ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/83 "2005-10-24T18:20:28Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Alaska Airlines includes a little card with a bible quote on it on your food tray. I always rip it in half and send it back (yes, it’s childish, but satisfying). _Up in the airplane Nearer my God to thee I start making a deal Inspired by gravity_ -Indigo Girls 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/84 "2005-10-24T18:22:08Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > I think when **eleanorigby** said “I ding them for throwing that food out—shame on Starbucks”, she was commenting on the specific instance of a Starbucks food-tossing policy attested to by **iluvurmom** from personal experience. She didn’t claim that **all** Starbucks throw out their unused food. Actually, according to my employee who worked there, its a corporate policy due to them getting sued over out of date food making someone sick. I can’t fault them for that. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/85 "2005-10-24T18:47:36Z")
Here is a good visual guide from one of the home roasting supplier (I’m not affiliated with this company in any way, btw) [http://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting-VisualGuideV2.html](http://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting-VisualGuideV2.html) ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/86 "2005-10-24T18:51:17Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Starbucks’ pastries are made fresh and delivered daily. They are not made in the stores, but are delivered at 5am fresh and tossed or donated at 2pm. Every day. Seven days a week. They are not saran-wrapped. Well, what do YOU call thin, transparent plastic wrap? They’re there–on the counter, right next to the “tip” jar. There is also a display case with “scones” etc. If those pastries and brownies are delivered daily, another supplier is needed, stat. Believe me, the quotation marks are needed for the scones. > [@](#): > > Learn first, form opinions later, not vice-versa. Ya know what? I’m in a bad mood today, so fuck off, **VCO3** – **Kimstu** read it exactly right. Love your Starbucks all you want to–why does it matter that others don’t? ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/87 "2005-10-24T18:52:22Z")
> [@bdgr](#): > > Actually, according to my employee who worked there, its a corporate policy due to them getting sued over out of date food making someone sick. I can’t fault them for that. I worked at a grocery store in high school where we had the same rule in the bakery. I was always saddened to see whole cakes – grocery carts full of them – thrown away each day. They wouldn’t let the employees take them, either, but some managers had the attitude that it was OK to leave the carts unsupervised and if some disappeared, no problem. (Sadly, not consistently.) This way, nobody can sue, because you technically stole the cake. Unfortunately, Starbucks’ liability does not end just because the muffins would be given out for free. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/88 "2005-10-24T22:21:22Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Well, what do YOU call thin, transparent plastic wrap? They’re there–on the counter, right next to the “tip” jar. There is also a display case with “scones” etc. If those pastries and brownies are delivered daily, another supplier is needed, stat. Believe me, the quotation marks are needed for the scones. Hmm…sounds like you’re frequenting a “fake” Starbucks, or one that isn’t an actual Starbucks owned and operated store but one that merely licenses the ability to sell Starbucks brand coffee, such as the stores you find in Airports, or in Target/Barnes and Noble/Grocery Stores. Regular Starbucks chain stores use a display case that does not involve saran wrap in any way. > [@eleanorigby](#): > > Ya know what? I’m in a bad mood today, so fuck off, **VCO3** – **Kimstu** read it exactly right. I’ve got two fingers for you, mom. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/89 "2005-10-24T22:32:19Z")
The messages are poor marketing. If your message is going to piss a portion of your clientele off without creating compensating excitement in another portion, then leave well enough alone. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/90 "2005-10-24T22:35:39Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Hmm…sounds like you’re frequenting a “fake” Starbucks Sound like you really don’t know what you’re talking about…again… Lots of starbucks wrap their food in the display case…full blown free standing starbucks… it may not be their fault… Lots of other stores do to. You see, some health departments require it. Some individual health inspectors require it in fact as I know a person in my town who had an inspector in her area insist on everything in her display case being wrapped even though the city doesnt require it. Also, many coffee shops (not just starbucks) are zoned as retail establishments with a snack bar rather than food service establishments. Its a way to get around parking requirements and stuff. Often, the city will require that the store ONLY sell food that is pre-packaged…such as muffins wrapped in saran wrap…to justify that. This board is about fighting ignorance…just because someone at the mermaid shop told you it was so, doesn’t make it true. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/91 "2005-10-24T23:36:53Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > I don’t see the need to be within arm’s length of a cup of coffee at all times :eek: How can you not? I don’t usually go to Starbucks, because I’m lousy at avoiding the temptation of the grande Frappuccinos. Which, like just about everything I really like, are [full of calories](http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/fitness/articles/2004/06/29/do_you_know_what_youre_drinking/), sugar, fat, and other bad-for-you things. ☹ > [@fluiddruid](#): > > I was always saddened to see whole cakes – grocery carts full of them – thrown away each day. They wouldn’t let the employees take them, either, but some managers had the attitude that it was OK to leave the carts unsupervised and if some disappeared, no problem. (Sadly, not consistently.) This way, nobody can sue, because you technically stole the cake. > > Unfortunately, Starbucks’ liability does not end just because the muffins would be given out for free. That’s a really sad commentary on our litigious society right there. Note to competitors of Starbucks (this means YOU, Peets): Stronger coffee is not necessarily better coffee. A lot of places that are supposed to have good coffee make it way too strong for me. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/92 "2005-10-24T23:41:55Z")
> [@Anne Neville](#): > > :eek: How can you not? It’s not that I don’t like coffee. I do. A lot. And that’s the problem. If I have easy access to it, I’ll drink way too much of it and end up wired and unable to function. So I have one or two large coffees a day, then switch to soda or water, which either has minimal or no caffeine. And the first person who mentions decaf coffee is gonna get punched in the mouth. That shit’s not worth drinking. :mad: Robin ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/93 "2005-10-24T23:46:12Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > And the first person who mentions decaf coffee is gonna get punched in the mouth. That shit’s not worth drinking. :mad: I’ll warn you, there will be a long line to punch that person in the mouth… ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/94 "2005-10-25T06:14:47Z")
we’ve secretly replaced MsRobyn’s regular coffee with decaf. Let’s see if she notices. _ouch_ that really hurt!! ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/95 "2005-10-25T07:42:17Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Starbucks’ pastries are made fresh and delivered daily. They are not made _in_ the stores, but are delivered at 5am fresh and tossed or donated at 2pm. Every day. Seven days a week. They are not saran-wrapped. [And here’s some more evidence that you might want to re-think that claim.](http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050331/news_lz1w31buns.html) ---
**Author:** ![LadySybil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c89c15/32.png) [@LadySybil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LadySybil)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/96 "2005-10-25T16:27:59Z")
Grrr…Starbucks just took over the (formerly) very delicious cafe at the grocery store where I work. The espresso machine sounds like heavy construction equipment and the coffee tastes like it was shat out out a plumber’s ass rather than brewed. And don’t get me started on their green tea. As for the messages, the patronizing Christian message is pretty annoying, but the blurbs of glurge are covered up by the cup warmers anyway, right? Out of sight, out of mind, into the trashcan it goes. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/97 "2005-10-25T16:44:51Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Hmm…sounds like you’re frequenting a “fake” Starbucks, or one that isn’t an actual Starbucks owned and operated store but one that merely licenses the ability to sell Starbucks brand coffee, such as the stores you find in Airports, or in Target/Barnes and Noble/Grocery Stores. Regular Starbucks chain stores use a display case that does not involve saran wrap in any way. My, you are something. Read **bdgr’s** post. Grab a clue about forming opinions before spouting nonsense. And how can any place besides Starbucks that serves Starbucks coffee now be considered a fake Starbucks? Starbucks coffee is Starbucks coffee–or does one truly have to graduate from barrista school to know how to brew a cuppa? Yeah, that’s it. But for the record, I am referring to a genuine 100% Starbucks–in fact, 2 of 'em. Their “bread products” taste like shit–to go with the coffee, I imagine. > [@](#): > > I’ve got two fingers for you, mom. 🆒 Wow–and someday you may notice the other eight and learn to use them as well. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/98 "2005-10-25T16:59:49Z")
I heard from a friend of my second cousin’s husband that Starbucks declaws kittens! But on the plus side, they donate all their profits to third world nations’ hospitals. ALL their profits. 'Strue! I love these kinds of threads! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/99 "2005-10-25T17:03:40Z")
> [@bdgr](#): > > Here is a good visual guide from one of the home roasting supplier (I’m not affiliated with this company in any way, btw) > > [http://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting-VisualGuideV2.html](http://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting-VisualGuideV2.html) Aaah, sweet maria’s. You’re speaking my language. And I think that we really have two languages going here: > [@Revtim](#): > > That is what irks me, I’m sure most of the hate people have towards Starbucks is simply because it’s trendy to hate it. I think that there are two camps who hate Star$ here.[ul] [li]Those who like Dunkin’ Donuts and Maxwell House and other coffee-flavored beverages, and can’t understand why all these Star$ are popping up selling coffee at huge dollars.[/li] [li]Those who appreciate the art of coffee, frequent [Coffeegeek.com](http://Coffeegeek.com), roast their own beans, agonize over which grinder is best, know what latte art is, and frequent coffee shops whose owners share their feelings (nay, obsessions). They feel that the quality independents are being forced out by the mega-corporation, and deeply resent it. (Can you tell which camp I am in? 🙂 )[/li] [li]And Opal, of course.[/ul][/li]I think that Star$ roasts to create a bitter brew. Strangely though, it is what I like and need in the morning. By afternoon, I really want a richer and milder coffee, and Star$ just doesn’t cut it. And just try a straight shot of their espresso; instant heartburn. The only way it is palatable is mixed with milk. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535/100 "2005-10-25T17:08:22Z")
I’m a tea drinker, so I’m used to seeing preachy new-age crap on the package. I’ve come to think of any tea that tries to sell a lifestyle instead of a tea bag should be avoided. Twinings is the stuff. Good quality, not too expensive, and no pretenses. : toddles off to make a cup of Earl Grey : [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-starbucks-we-dont-want-to-know-what-you-think/327535.md?page=6)